My Asian Mom (2012): Cast Photos and Bios

Read bios for the writers, directors and devisors of My Asian Mom here.

Ben Albovias

Ben Albovias (Organic Meatballs, MamaSiHero) Executive Recruiter by day, Actor by night, Standup Philosopher on the weekends, Ben continues to make his mark in the theater community. He wants to thank his Mom for submitting him for Short Round’s stunt double in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, starting his acting career early.

Aimee Algas Alker

Aimee Algas Alker (Organic Meatballs, MamaSiHero) was last seen on the Blue Line. Also, A-Squared Theatre Workshop and Circa-Pintig's The Other Shore; the Nara Movement Project's My Name is Flor Contemplacion, and Pukihan: The Vagina Monolgues Pinay-Style; and Hermit Arts' Danger Face II. This performance is for her Asian mom, with love.

Colleen Dilts

Colleen Dilts (Tiger Mom) moved to Chicago after living in China, where she worked as a singing gondolier at the Venetian in Macau. Recent and regional theatre credits include Steel Beam Theatre The Glass Menagerie (Laura), Oakton Community College Urinetown (Soupy Sue), Perseverance Theatre Hamlet (Hamlet), The Seagull (Yakov), and Uncle Vanya.

Lovien "Joey" Flores

Lovien "Joey" Flores (MamaSiHero) is extremely stoked to be working with A-Squared Theatre Workshop again. She is thankful for this awesome opportunity to share these poignant yet endearing stories about these exceptional Asian moms. Joey dedicates this performance to the one and only hero in her life, her Mama.

James Kannookadan

James Kannookadan (Marrying Nandini) is a Chicago-born actor and comedian. He has studied acting at The Professional Program at Green Room Studios and Act One. He has also trained in improvisation at The Annoyance Theater, iO, and at Second City's Conservatory Program. You can catch James performing with the Asian-American sketch comedy group, Stir Friday Night!, (Fridays in August at Donny's Skybox). Offstage, you can find him looking at food porn and reading self help books. James thanks Nandita Shenoy, Jin, and the producers of My Asian Mom for all their hard work. James would like to thank his wonderful wife for carrying his baby boy for 35+ weeks while he danced around from rehearsal to rehearsal. James thanks his Indian parents as well… although he still has not told them he is an actor.

Sonia Khaleel

Sonia Khaleel (Marrying Nandini) is so excited to be a part of My Asian Mom. She is an Indian American actress, comedienne, and singer who has trained at Second City and iO. Sonia currently performs with the Asian-American sketch comedy group, Stir-Friday Night! She has also performed music all over Chicago, and will be releasing her first solo CD this summer. She would like to thank Nandita Shenoy, Jin, and the producers, cast, and crew of My Asian Mom for being so awesome. She'd also like to thank her mom for never telling her to get married.

Hope Kim

Hope Kim (Piano) is a company member of A-Squared Theatre Workshop and is thrilled to take on the role of the assistant producer as well as writing her very own personal and intimate monologue for this unique project! It's been a new, fun, challenging, and exciting ride worth every minute!

Ramona Kywe

Ramona Kywe (Organic MeatBalls) is thrilled to be working for the first time with A-Squared Theatre Workshop. Her past productions include Bad Seed at Gorilla Tango and Red and Green with Akvavit Theater. She dedicates her performance to all the Asian moms in her family.

Ginger Leopoldo

Ginger Leopoldo (This Is Why I Don’t Drink, Mama SiHero 6/29 & 6/30, stage manager) is an actor, director, educator and a founding member of CIRCA-Pintig. She received her MA in theater from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is a Coach for public school teachers, working for a nonprofit that engages at-risk youth with an arts-based literacy program.

Mia Park

Photo by Brian McConkey

Mia Park (Eight Turkey Sandwiches, producer) is thrilled to devise for, act in, and produce My Asian Mom. She co-founded A-Squared Theatre Workshop as part of her continuing mission to communicate the highest good. She's thankful for yoga, which helps her filter the best experiences she’s had with her Korean mother. Read about her acting here, her yoga teachings here and her communications business here.

Patrick Woods

Patrick Woods (Tiger Mom) has a deep awareness of Asian culture. At Loyola University he majored in Asian/Asian American studies and lived in the People’s Republic of China for three years. Thanks to Joe Yau and A-Squared Theatre Workshop co-founder Mia Park for giving him the opportunity to be a part of this production.

Kai Young

Kai Young (This Is Why I Don't Drink) is pleased to rejoin his Asian crew in My Asian Mom. As a recent graduate of Columbia College, he is thrilled to be unleashed upon the world. Kai is also a Harbinger of truth.